Kix

Chapter 10: Recovery

A/N Mentions of torture

Kix POV

I wake up to find myself in a med bay, I look around seeing that I am completely alone. I try and sit up only to feel a hot fiery pain taking over causing me to gasp and fall back onto the bed but this sudden transition hurts me even more as all the wounds I have suffered from in the past five months sting and throb rhythmically together. I reach up to my neck only to feel the thick wad of bandages, it's only then that I remember all that I have been through. The torture, the pain and the feeling of having my pride forcefully taken away from me. Tears begin to slip from my eyes as I become overwhelmed by the memories of being tortured, having that cursed whip strike me over and over even the insults I received come back to me now. "Kix?" I quickly wipe my eyes as a cadet comes in, I smile despite the pain as the cadet looks at me in concern. "what is it cadet?" I ask just in case he needs a medics advice. He comes over to me and sits on the chair beside my bed, he looks troubled and concerned for me. "Do you remember me?" now I feel bad, I can't remember who he is. I study him trying to awaken my memory, he has a hawk tattooed onto his bald head and other than a single scar down his right eye he looks like any other clone. (the hawk tattoo looks like the one in the picture)

He smiles, "well it has been a while and I didn't have a nickname back then. Do you remember that cadet that you comforted when they were crying? And that same cadet who you told 'this isn't a goodbye it's a see you later'?" my eyes widen. Wow so this cadet who is about to graduate was that small cadet? I grin as he smiles back, I pull him to me as we embrace, "it's good to see you again uh" he smiles and laughs a little, "Hawk, my name is Hawk" I nod as Hawk hugs me again this one is a lot longer. I feel as though he knows what I have been through or he has made a wild guess. "Kriff it really has been a long time, are you about to graduate?" I ask still trying to adjust, Hawk smiles, "yes I'm going to graduate in an hour and then I will be joining 501st which means once you are better we will be fighting side by side!" he grins sounding excited as I smile, "well I look forward to fighting by your side soldier" he looks shocked for a second before a huge grin takes over as he hugs me hard causing me to groan in pain, "sorry brother I'm sorry" he says as he quickly lets go of me his face filled with concern, "don't worry Hawk it's alright I am fine" I reassure him as he softly smiles. The door opens and Commander Colt comes through, "come on Hawk you need to get ready for your graduation" Hawk salutes before giving me a fist bump and then leaving. However, Commander Colt stays sensing that he wants to say something I manage to slowly and painfully sit up in my bed. Colt smiles gently at me as he places his helmet down onto a table and then walks over to me. "you have my respect Kix not many clones could have survived all of that. I'm glad that you're alive and I'm glad that your back home" he says as he reaches out and holds my hand, "if you need anything or any help then please just tell me and I will try and help I promise" I smile at him looking at his soft brown eyes, "thank you commander I will remember that" he nods as he walks back over to his helmet. He picks his helmet up but before he does he turns to me one more time "I'm proud to call you my brother Kix" before I can reply he leaves leaving me to ponder on his words as I let my head rest on the pillows.

I must of accidently fallen asleep because for the first time in a very long time I feel rested, refreshed which is a feeling I am very much not used to. This time there is less pain as I get up and slowly stand. I see my armor and helmet on a table nearby which I slowly put on. My back and front still hurt but it's nothing that can't be dealt with. I tuck my helmet underneath my arm as I leave the med bay searching for one or a group of my brothers. It becomes clear to me that it is lunch time as no one is walking about so I head over to the cafeteria however I stop just outside of the door as I hear brothers talking within the room, "do you think Kix is alright?" I hear someone ask, I smile knowing exactly who I want to surprise as the door open every single brother falls silent but I only look at Jesse, "Jesse" his eyes go wide as he sees me, he soon begins to tear up as without a word he rushes to me and hugs me. I close my eyes as I feel other brothers embracing us. I feel Jesse trembling in my arms as he hugs me tighter, I close my eyes getting lost in the warmth of Jesse. He already knew I was here but he was obviously scared that I wouldn't have the strength to get up or that it would take me longer to recover eventually he lets me go but keeps a hand rested on my cheek as I brush the tears off his cheeks, "did they do anything to you?" Jesse asks, this question causes me to freeze as I remember the many times that they tortured me. My vision begins to blur with tears as I nod not wanting to go into detail, this causes a chain reaction as every single brother realises what they did to me. Tup hugs me from the back gently whilst Jesse hugs me from the front as I bury my face into Jesse's shoulder. Once the emotions die out Rex comes forward, "Thank you Kix without you we would have killed our own brothers back on Umbara. I'm sorry that we couldn't prevent Pong Krell from taking you" he looks sad and happy at the same. I smile and place my hand onto his shoulder, "your welcome brother" afterwards we all just talked about the things I had missed during the five months that I was away as well as that I also learn that we are going to be hunting down Cad Bane in two days' time which I am looking forward to. I laugh as Rex and Fives begin to argue over how Fives allowed Hardcase to destroy the hanger back on Umbara. I laugh harder as Cody facepalms before knocking Rex and Fives over their heads. But he does it too hard so Rex ends up smacking his head onto the table whilst Fives faceplants into his rations. Cody freaks out as he apologizes to Rex over and over again, whilst Fives just laughs his head of as he wipes his face. Rex ends up chasing Cody who is still yelling sorry over his shoulder. Jesse looks at me as I look at him, we smile at each other before I lean into him allowing my head to rest on his chest taking comfort from the strong beat of his heart as he wraps an arm around me before kissing me on my head. I'm finally home...

A/N Sorry that it took me so long to update I have been busy with school work. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this and I'm sorry if it's a tad bit short. See ya later and stay safe guys!